Emily A. Kurfman

Dynorphin A (Dyn A) is an opioid peptide that is found in nervous system tissue. The peptide is metabolized to smaller peptide fragments that have lesser-known and different activities. It is necessary to separate and detect these peptides in biological samples in order to characterize how the peptides behave in vivo. Dyn A binds the kappa opioid receptor and has been shown to be involved in both peripheral pain and drug addiction. Therefore, better methods for determining Dyn A and its metabolites in vivo will help in our understanding of the neurochemistry of drug addiction and withdrawal, which are major societal problems. My research currently focuses on developing a capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for separating and detecting dynorphin peptides. I will then develop a microchip electrophoresis-miniaturized mass spectrometry system combined with on-line microdialysis sampling to monitor dynorphin transport and metabolism in rat models. This will provide a better understanding of the role of dynorphin peptides and dynorphin analogs in drug addiction and pain.